Monday 27 May 2019

The "RUNAWAY PLANET" - OBJECT REINMUTH (HERMES)

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1938, 10 January 
The German astronomer, KARL REINMUTH, discovered “THE RUNAWAY PLANET” in 1937 when it zipped past Earth at about 800,000 km, just twice the distance to the moon. Unfortunately, astronomers lost sight before they could precisely determine its orbit. “THE RUNAWAY PLANET” - OBJECT REINMUTH 1937 UB (O.R. for short) missed the earth by 5½ hours on October 30, 1937. On 10 January 1938 THE STAR Johannesburg reported that Cape Town astronomers, Dr. H.E. Wood and Mr. Arthur W. Long, predicted that O.R. may be coming back in a few years’ time. The asteroid was named after the swift messenger god of the ancient Greeks, HERMES. 
After 66 years, on 15 October 2003, this kilometre-wide asteroid became visible again and the new orbit was firmly linked to the scant observations of 1937. Relieved astronomers announced that the potential killer rock will not get uncomfortably close to Earth within the next century. They predicted that HERMES will make its closest approach to Earth on 4 Nov. 2003, at a safe distance of 7 million km. They expect that it won't get any closer than about 3 million km within the next hundred years or so. According to astronomers it is hard to predict what will happen in the distant future, as HERMES seems to be very eccentric. At least HERMES won't get lost again, thanks to the new observations. 
(Additional info taken from an article by Govert Schilling, Oct. 17, 2003 - https://www.sciencemag.org)

Thursday 23 May 2019

VESUVIUS "on the Air"

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, August 3

"Running commentary" by Prof. d'Annunzio seemed likely to live up to its name when Signor d'Annunzio attempted to record the authentic sound of VESUVIUS. Electric cables were hauled to the top of VESUVIUS and microphones installed on the edge of the crater. VESUVIUS hissed, growled and rumbled .... and then there was a terrific explosion and black smoke as part of the cone at the top was blown away.

CROSSE & BLACKWELL since 1706

CAPE ARGUS - 1886 & 1906 

1886, 19 May



1906, 6 December

CROSSE & BLACKWELL is the brand name of a British line of foodstuffs dating back to 1706, when a grocery business named West and Wyatt opened on King Street in Soho, London. In 1829, Edmund Crosse and Thomas Blackwell bought out West and Wyatt and renamed it to CROSSE & BLACKWELLIn 1850, CROSSE & BLACKWELL started to pot meats such as Strasbourg paste and anchovy paste. Jams & Jellies were also bottled.























Wednesday 22 May 2019

FORD Agency taken over in South Africa

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, Aug. 5
On Aug. 5, 1935, one of the most important deals in the South African Motor Trade was completed when Messrs. Eriksen & Clothier acquired the FORD dealership interests of Messrs. Herholdt & King, Ltd. (authorised Ford dealers for the last 12 years.) The workshops and service station will be extended and the staff & workshop personnel – mostly men with long experience in FORD service - will remain. 
Almost 84 years later, on 20 May 2019, @kirstenkorosec reported that FORD MOTOR might be laying off 7,000 salaried employees as part of a restructuring plan to reduce bureaucracy, cut costs and turn the automaker into a more agile company prepared for a future that extends beyond its traditional business of producing and selling cars and trucks.

Tuesday 21 May 2019

DISPRIN overcomes 2 defects of Aspirin

CAPE ARGUS - November 3, 1951
For years research chemists have tried to overcome 
the two obstinate defects of aspirin - acidity and insolubility. 
In DISPRIN these have been overcome.

Sunday 19 May 2019

Nation at Prayer

CAPE ARGUS - Jan. 4, 1915
Due to the terrible calamity of War, all over the world 
people gathered for a Day of Praise and Prayer and Thanksgiving.


Thursday 16 May 2019

MECCANO - In South Africa in 1915

CAPE ARGUS - Jan. 5, 1915

MECCANO (derived from the phrase “Make and Know) is a model construction system created in 1898 by Frank Hornby in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Working models and mechanical devices can be built by using nuts and bolts to connect reusable metal strips, angle girders, plates, axles, gears, wheels and plastic parts. Factories were also established in France, Spain and Argentina.


Wednesday 15 May 2019

Home School System in the early 1930's

THE STAR Johannesburg - Aug. 1, 1935
Mrs. Thornton Archer started a Home School for her own children when they were too young to be send to boarding school far from their farm at Mara, Northern Transvaal. 
Her excellent system became well known in many areas in South-Africa, Swaziland, Basutoland, Rhodesia, South-West Africa and Belgian Congo.



Monday 13 May 2019

"Drone" in 1935?

THE STAR Johannesburg - July 9, 1935
Interesting to see how South African newspapers 
covered British and German developments prior to World War II. 
I found some more details on the page of Vintage Wings of Canada.




Friday 10 May 2019

Petrol "War" in Cape Town

CAPE TIMES - April 5, 1933



The FLYING FLEA

THE STAR - August 31, 1935
The FLYING FLEA is a light aeroplane invented by the Frenchman, M. Henri Mignet. It costs about £70 - cheaper than the smallest car and it is claimed to be almost crash-proof. There is only one control, operating on wings and rudder.
The FLYING FLEA can rise to 1 000 feet, shut off his 8 h.p.motor cycle engine, and descend comfortably and safely like a parachute.

Thursday 9 May 2019

Yardley Lavender

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, 6 July

I still remember the fresh fragrance of the Yardley Lavender perfume and talcum powder my mother used when I was small. How I wish I could give it to her on Mother's Day!

Monday 6 May 2019

Week Night Activities in Cape Town in 1906

CAPE ARGUS - July 30, 1906


Week Night Activities
in Cape Town in 1906

  • Grand Carnival SKATING COMPETITION for CHILDREN  at Grand Parade. FANCY DRESS for Children with Limelight and Cinematograph Effects played on Children as Skating.
  • Mr. JA Giffen will speak on “MARVELS OF LOWER PLANT LIFE” at the YMCA.
  • CAT FANCIERS are invited to a meeting in the Class Room of the YMCA for the purpose of forming a CAT CLUB.




Cape Town’s new £22 000 Broadcasting Station at Milnerton

 CAPE TIMES - 1933, July 18 The Cape and Peninsula Broadcasting Association started Cape Town’s first Broadcasting Station on September 15, ...